Late Night Oral Health Care

Brushing before you go to bed is essential for healthy teeth.

Cleaning your teeth on a regular basis is the very foundation of healthy teeth and gums. Our Epsom hygienist also encourages the use of dental floss and providing that you do this correctly both morning and night, along with regular hygiene sessions, there is a good chance that you will avoid many dental problems.

Most people will willingly clean their teeth in the morning, partially as it refreshes the mouth after a night’s sleep. When it comes to night time cleaning though, some people are less diligent about it than others.

Correct night time cleaning

There are a number of reasons why people may not clean their teeth at night. Tiredness is one obvious reason, and, if you have been out socialising, alcohol consumption may also play a role. As we have discussed before on our Clocktower Dental Clinic blogs, consumption of alcohol increases the likelihood of a dry mouth, heightening the risk of gum disease; so special care should be paid to cleaning your teeth after a night of socialising.

Getting it right

One of the most important things to bear in mind about cleaning your teeth at night is that once you have done it, no food or drink, with the exception of water, should pass your lips. Parents especially should make sure that their children don’t have any snacks afterwards. Even a milky drink should be avoided as lactose is a form of sugar that is just as harmful to teeth as processed sugar. If you clean your teeth at night and then eat again, your teeth and gums are left under attack from sugars and the bacteria that feed on them. Doing this on a regular basis is very likely to result in tooth decay and the need for fillings, perhaps even extractions.

Flossing

Night time is the best time to floss too. After your evening meal, it is very likely that small food particles will have lodged between the teeth that can’t be removed by brushing alone. Bacteria and acids can then start to decay your teeth as you sleep. Good oral care involves a well rounded cleaning regimen. This involves not only cleaning and flossing at home, but also regular visits to our Epsom practice to see the hygienist and dentist.

At the Clock Tower Dental Clinic, we do all that we can to help our patients avoid teeth and gum problems. You can make an appointment to see one of our dentists or hygienists by calling us on 01372 720136.